News

Eruption of Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaiʻi Sends Lava East of Puʻu ʻŌʻō

On June 27, 2014, several new fissures opened on the northeast flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, within the East Rift Zone (ERZ) of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi. Many short lava flows were erupted initially, but within days activity focused solely on the lowest elevation fissure, which subsequently built a shield and lava pond. On July 10, eruptive activity shifted to the next lowest fissure, and a lava flow began to advance continuously to the northeast. This lava flow eventually intersected a system of deep ground cracks along the ERZ on August 18. After repeatedly entering, filling, and exiting several ground cracks and spreading to the east-northeast, lava escaped the crack system on September 6 and resumed flowing northeast. Since then, the lava flows have stopped and started, and the original flow stalled within tens of meters of crossing Highway 130, Pāhoa Village Road. A second flow, which broke out just downslope of the ground crack system in late November has stalled upslope of the Pāhoa Marketplace and Highway 130. Additional breakouts upslope of the stalled flow tips continue to produce lobes that move downslope. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are vigilantly monitoring the eruption and advancement of the lava. Please check the HVO website for the latest information.

Lava flow breakout from northeast flank of PUUOO on the East Rift Zone of KILAUEA volcano.